We are definitely sending out our support with monatory funds as well as clothing and food. Supporting Pakistan as much as possible. I am from NWFP also, so we have family going down and volunteering as much as we can, aside from that we still do want to adopt and see no harm being done. Could use another member in the family

I don't have time to read the blog now, but will tonight. The boys look so cute. I bow my head to all those people who adopt Russian kids! HRANI VAS BOG! (God protect you).

Here's a weekly blog of a couple who adopted 2 russian kids. whatsyourstory.msn.com GT1=7170

Adopting a child is a good will and wish you guys success.
Since adopting a child is very complicated and time consuming we could always help them another way.I wouls agree with Jim77 to help thsose kids through proper channels like supporting an orphan house financially or the families who have lost their bread winners instead adopting one child and bringing over to states. I think that's more realistic and practical

100% in agreement with "Seedingchaos "

@Jim77: I?d automatically assume (and in this case know for a fact) that whoever is willing to go as far as adopting a child from the disaster zone has already taken (and is still taking) part in helping out with the relief efforts in general. As far as adopting one child out of hundred's and thousands of people wont help much , in my opinion, I don?t think that?s true! If you have the means to do it and you can go for it, then starting ANYWHERE is fine. Adoption in general is a one-at-a-time progression.

@Darya23: Agreed with the fact that it?s a very tedious and protracted process and then there?s a lot to prove and do with the immigration, but once again, if you are determined to DO IT, then the power be with you. About why get up and do it just when the disaster knocks on a door? , part of the reason is because it?s homeland where the disaster struck (I know that sounds kind of selfish but that factor does play a role) and specially in Zaara?s case, the e.quake struck dead-on the region of Pakistan where she comes from so that definitely stirs up more motivation into her and her family?

Also, (like so many of us), if I didn?t have all the responsibilities here, I?d have LONG gone back home and volunteered with my own hands but I (and many others here) are constrained by time and distance to do anything more than remote financial assistance, which most of the time due to the corruption in the region, doesn?t even get to the right cause? There are many ways to crack this constraint chain and one of them is adoption, so whoever is willing *bows in respect*

I'll keep my research open on this and other ways to help out and will post them here and where it'll matter as I come across info... Stand by ;)

Agree with Jim77. There are fundraisers going around...and also donation of clothing, blankets etc. I am sure UNICEF and UN are looking for volunteers...

If adoption of a suffering child is so important, why get up and do it just when the disaster knocks on a door?Millions of children in Africa and South America die annually, yet there's no talk about adopting them.

Chaos provided a lot of helful info on how to adopt, but the fact is, buraucracy beats everything! It is true that "The fastest and easiest way is to adopt an orphan who automatically becomes eligible to enter the United States as an immediate relative", but first it has to be established that BOTH of child's parents are dead; it can take a while, considering how slow things are done in most immigration agency in MOST countries of the world, to obtain death certificates for both parents. In order to become this orphan's "immediate relative" one has to OFFICIALY become the child's parent...and that can not happen untill all the paperwork is proccessed. Pakistan is now throwing all forces into feeding people and getting the bodies from under the rubble. How long will it take before they allow orphan's out of the country? It can take months...if not longer.

I know people who adopted from Russia, one couple travled there 3 (!) times in a course of a year before their court date was even scheduled. They "met" little Alex when he was 4 months and officially became his parents when he was a year and a half. And that how long it took in a country which was not hit by such a disaster.

I seriously think that people here having very strong concerns and who really want to make a difference should really go to Pakistan and help people suffering or have suffered in such tragedy physically and mentally. Even financial help through genuine channels from here would help them a lot...In my personal opinion, adopting one child out of hundred's and thousands of people wont help much !

First off, bless your heart and soul for those of you (and your families) who can and are willing to do this. I wish I could personally take part in this but I'm not in a situation right now to do so but will in the future. Here's some information to get you guys started...

There are two ways to bring an adopted child into the United States. The fastest and easiest way is to adopt an orphan who automatically becomes eligible to enter the United States as an immediate relative. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to immigrate a child as an orphan. The second way is to adopt a child and reside with that child for two years prior to petitioning for the child. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may immigrate a child with whom they have lived for two years.

A complete guide, that can help you a lot with this can be found at this link: uscis.gov

This information mostly informs on how to get the child into the USA from another country so it's more immigration related. To get ahold of agencies who can help you FIND such children who'll need help and can be helped by adopting (from Pakistan), use this link: travel.state.gov

I hope this helps. I'll post up more if I come across more info.

Onlyaap, I think you've gone a little bit too far, but anyway, I read what you had to say, and like I said-ADOPTION is a vert serious step with a lot of paperwork involved, no matter what region the child comes through and what's his/her individual story is (whether the child was raped, is dying of hunger etc). I may seem easy when Angelina Jolie poses with Maddox, but certain states do not let single women adopt-they require both parents...or you have to have lots of money to bribe someone (like in Russia, even 3-4 years ago it would have been impossible for a single woman to adopt a child).

And no, I do not want even a one single child to suffer of ANYTHING, but it's not in my, nor you power to stop natural cataclizms. Yes, you can do it out of humanity, but you have to provide for this child, be responsible for this child, and age as well as where one stands in her career is very important. I should by any mean do what you think is right. And since you have mentioned that it's your family that wants to adopt, I don't really understand a fire about this comment, since, if I misunderstood your statement-which I am sorry about, this is exactly how it should have been taken-as a response to a misunderstood statement.

And please...asking me to look further into Islam is really not necessary. I assure you I know more about your religion than anyone here knows about mine.

well darya,what does my age have to do with anything??? YOU can wait till your 30 and unmarried to adopt and thats your own choice. Many people want to do it that way. I dont want to adopt a child just because I have not found "mr. right", am not married yet and just want to be a mother. I want to adopt because their are kids in Pakistan right now dieing of starvation and saving even one life would be a start.

I think our reasons of wanting to adopt are completely different. Im sure that if you go right now and ask the orphan children in Pakistan(or any other homeless child in the world)"would you rather sit here and starve to death or would you want a roof over your head", Im pretty sure they would choose the loption B. I dont think any homeless child would care if they had a huge mansion home to go to in America . I think at this point they just want a nice loving family that can provide him/her a respectful descent life.

I would want to do this out of humanity what would be your reason Darya?

And by the way it was my family who wanted to know...not that it would make a difference in this situation. The only concern should be DIEING CHILDREN who dont have a home, are freezing in the cold weather without proper clothing and dont have a morsel of food to put in their stomach, ARE BEING RAPED, MOLESTED, and have lost their entire family.

You have absolute right to state your opinion but it just seemed very selfish. IF you were out their (God Forbid) then you wouldnt be thinking the way you are right now. Look into Islam a little further Darya, you should help those less fortunate then yourselves.

(Allah na kuray, toba toba) but God forbid if one of us was in that earthquake and we passed and our children were all alone in this world, wouldnt you want a good, humble family to take them in?? Do you know the kind of maddness that goes on to little kids??? WOuld you want to have your daughter be homeless on the street and get raped or would you really be concerned if the family taking her in can provide her with Gucci, louis vuitton and prada bags OR would you just want her to be safe with good people. Do you realize whats going on with kids there??? I cant stress that enough.

Baltinena and murtaza, I spoke to my khala and she said she will look into it and I will pass on the information as I receive it,

I am sorry, but Onlyaap and Nena-how old are you? Do you have enough means to raise a child? There's LOTS of paperwork to go through during adoption proccess.

As much as I want to adopt, I'll wait till I am 30 or over and if "mr. right" is not here yet, then I'll adopt. Inchallah I have a house and a nice full bank account by then to raise that child...

Zaara, if you hear anything, please let me know as well. Thanks.